Broken rear axle - 1948 Continental

[imported_Phil Knapp]

A friend of mine has a really nice 1948 Continental Convertible (see attachment). He just broke a rear axle shaft. He's an excellent mechanic, but is relatively unfamiliar with early Lincolns. Does anybody have a source for a good axle shaft? Preferrably close to Central Texas (Austin area).

Also, what is the torque spec for the rear axle nut? I know it needs to be TIGHT, but just HOW tight? My friends rear hubs just slid off the axles without the necessity of a puller which probably contributed to the axle shaft failure. The axle key was split in half and the axle broke right at the beginning of the threads.

UPDATE: Gary has ordered an axle shaft from Merv Adkins.

Thanks,

[peecher]

Phil, according to a Ford Service letter the nut should be tightened to 200-220 ft/lbs and then continued to the next castellation with the resultant torque not to exceed 275 ft/lbs.

[imported_Phil Knapp]

Thanks for the torque spec Dee,

My friend has ordered an axle from Merv.

Now all that's left is WORK!

[peecher]

Replacing that axle is not a fun project! I remember doing that on my '38 when I was a high-schooler. Did it in the parking lot of the local Penney's store.

[imported_Phil Knapp]

Brings back old memories of "just showing off" - dump the clutch, hear a "click" and go NOWHERE! Pretty embarrassing, then the work begins. I lost track of the broken axles in my '39 and '47 Fords of my mis-spent youth!

It's a little easier now with a lift, and enough sense to ease off on the clutch. These days I only take an axle apart to install a Columbia - with no time constraints. This one took six weeks of part time work: http://community.webshots.com/album/535592120cTKtFX

[peecher]

Hey Phil, I noticed that you have a Y-block breather on your beautiful green oil pan. It's sure a good idea to "ventilate" these 12's even with modern oils. Does the design of the breather effective stop any oil leakage? They seemed to work ok on the old Y-blocks until the "blow-by" got real intense. As I remember the opening to the crankcase was high,near the top of the canister? Thinking about doing the same thing on the engine I'm rebuilding.

Thanks for all the good pics. Dee